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PTSD resources for veterans, their families, and for the general public

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur in people who experienced a fearful event or who lived with daily trauma. The condition may occur in veterans after their return to civilian life. If symptoms occur for more than three months without improvement than getting outside help is recommended.

The following short video illustrates the most common symptoms that may occur with PTSD: [upworthy.com]

Common symptoms include:

  1. 1) re-experiencing the traumatic events as unwanted memories or nightmares;
  2. 2) avoidance of reminders of the trauma;
  3. 3) feeling worse about yourself or the world; and
  4. 4) hyper-arousal, feeling constantly on alert or experiencing sudden rushes of anger or irritability after being startled or hearing a loud noise.  [upworthy.com]

Services for veterans and their families coping with PTSD are available at the Veteran’s Affairs website and the site also has self help resources and referral information available for the general public: [ptsd.va.gov] [PTSD treatment can help]

A previous post about talking to children about traumatic events that includes a list of resources about EMDR, a type of therapy that may be helpful for PTSD treatment. [link]

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./

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Maya, the power of Brahman

On the other side of the world from the Mayan people in South America, the word Maya in Sanskrit means the power of Brahman, the Absolute Reality. Brahman is Sat-Chit-Ananda or Absolute Existence, Absolute Consciousness and Absolute Bliss. Brahman is impersonal but not without attributes. This explanation of the Absolute was taught by Shankara and is a belief of Hinduism. Shankara was born in India around A.D. 700-788. His teachings were based on the Vedanta, a monistic philosophy. The world was not created by Brahman but by Brahman’s power, Maya. [1, 2, 4]

Maya is everything, every day. Everything in the world is connected. At the subatomic structure everything is made up of quarks. [5] All of the planets are connected by the relationship between their elements which were once stardust. [3]  Maya day is every day throughout the world.

  1. Harper M.H., Gurus, Swamis, and Avataras; Spiritual Masters and Their American Disciples, (Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1972) pp 10-15 [Amazon]
  2. “Maya Is a Power of Brahman,” Sri Aurobindo Studies (Aug. 14, 2010) [sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com]
  3. “Are we really all made of stardust?” physics.org [physics.org]
  4. “Shankara (Indian philosopher)” Britannica Online Encyclopedia [britannica.com]
  5. Nave R, “Quarks” hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu [hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu]
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Hormone D is made from vitamin D

Vitamin D and hormone D are metabolically linked by one enzyme. Testing only the vitamin does not prove a deficiency of the hormone. There would be more children with rickets if the food supply or sunlight supply was inadequate in vitamin D or cholesterol. Statin drugs stop the liver from producing cholesterol so people taking statin drugs long term could be more at risk for low levels of both vitamin and hormone D. However they would also need to be avoiding sunlight, dairy products, egg yolks, some types of fish and other vitamin D fortified foods like breads and cereals.

If an epidemic of rickets isn’t a problem [3] then probably a reasonable amount of vitamin D has been available over the years. There is certainly an association between chronic disease and low vitamin D levels but it has not been adequately proven that low vitamin D is causing the chronic disease or whether it is a side effect of some other condition. It has been proven that the enzyme that converts vitamin D to the active hormone D is made in some types of cancer and autoimmune disease. There are two tests necessary to prove a deficiency of both the vitamin and the actual hormone D. It has been proven that excess hormone D can cause chronic degeneration from excess calcium leaving the bone tissue and it causes pain.

Two tests are needed to show whether there is deficiency of vitamin D or whether there is actually excess hormone D. The test for vitamin D levels doesn’t measure the amount that was converted into hormone D which is the form that signals bones to release magnesium and calcium from long term storage. It also signals the intestines to preferentially absorb more calcium than magnesium. Magnesium is inexpensive but it isn’t absorbed well when there is also a lot of calcium in the food or supplement or when there is excessive hormone D levels.
Two tests for D can show who needs further testing vs who needs supplements or diet guidance.The good news suggested to me, by the limited number of cases of rickets in comparison to the large number of people with low vitamin D levels, is that having both the hormone and vitamin levels tested would show who needs a vitamin and who might benefit from more testing for underlying issues.

Testing for chronic infection or cancer can catch treatable problems in much earlier stages of disease before osteoporosis or soft tissue calcification are allowed to happen. If the hormone level is elevated and the vitamin is low there can be a treatable reason why the enzyme between the two forms is overactive. Or sometimes there is an issue with too little activity by the enzyme that breaks down the hormone and too little enzyme activity allows the hormone to build up to excess levels.

Making too much active hormone D or not breaking down the excess can lead to worsening chronic disease over time. Measuring both the vitamin and hormone levels of D can show who needs a vitamin and who might need antibiotics or other treatment and who might be harmed by the use of excess supplements of D over time. So, yes, vitamin D is important and many people have been found to have low levels but we haven’t been measuring the level of the active hormone in many research studies and it is more powerfully active within health and illness.

Agribusiness and processed food are an essential part of the food supply. Improving food labeling would help people with food sensitivities or allergies to avoid risk without requiring all processed foods to change ingredients. Standardizing fortification levels helps with menu planning for a healthy diet for individuals and residential facilities.

Corporate profit and national viability is affected by the cost of health care and that won’t get cheaper if the same wrong solutions are pursued. One vitamin or medicine can never grow a body or give the body the nutrient building blocks that are needed for healing.
Multiple nutrients are necessary for preventing chronic disease and repairing health.

Recognizing that there is a link between elevated hormone D and low vitamin D will be important for the long term effectiveness of any health care system for any business or country. Pursuing vitamin D supplements as an easy solution to chronic disease has not been working and any one nutrient solution will not work to build health. Magnesium or iodine are not single answer solutions either. Vitamin K, selenium, zinc, vitamin C and B’s and the essential fats and phospholipids are necessary as well as adequate calories and protein.

Many nutrients working together help maintain quality of life and reduce pain and chronic degeneration. Basing health care on medical and surgical solutions alone can not solve or prevent all types of health issues. Those types of solutions are needed for acute repair but chronic degeneration needs prevention strategies and many nutrients working together within the body.
/Disclaimer: Information presented on this site is not intended as a substitute for medical care and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by your physician./

Reference List

  1. Canadian Medical Association Journal (2012, November 5). Low vitamin D levels linked to longevity, surprising study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 11, 2012, from [sciencedaily.com­] *The study control group had higher levels of vitamin D and had more chronic concerns. Low vitamin D levels is only important if there is also low hormone D levels.
  2. van Heemst D., Leiden Longevity Study, Longevity Research Background, in Dutch, [langleven.net]
  3. Lazol JP, Cakan N, Kamat D. 10-year case review of nutritional rickets in Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2008 May;47(4):379-84. Epub 2008 Jan 11. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] *The charts of 58 children with rickets diagnoses were found for a ten year time period at one hospital, 96% of them were exclusively breast fed and ethnicity suggests many may have hard dark skin tones which blocks sunlight production of vitamin D. Ideally vitamin D supplements would be recommended for exclusively breast fed infants during preventative nutritional counseling. So roughly 6 children per year at a large hospital with rickets – that is a much smaller number than “35% of American Children.” [4]
  4. Bener A., et al.,Vitamin D Deficiency as a Strong Predictor of Asthma in Children. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2012;157:168–175 [content.karger.com] *The study participants were found to have lower vitamin D levels than the control group but they also were found to have lower magnesium levels and increased bone turnover levels which would suggest to me they actually had elevated hormone D but that wasn’t tested. Magnesium is cheap but it isn’t well absorbed if there is elevated hormone D due to some other unidentified issue. Vitamin D supplements and food were used by a significant number of the study participants.     Excerpt from this paper that is in reference to a different paper: “Litonjua and Weiss  [16] found that 35% of American children were vitamin D deficient and these children were at a greater risk of severe asthma attacks.“
  5. Hashimoto Y, Nishimura Y, Maeda H, Yokoyama M. Assessment of magnesium status in patients with bronchial asthma. J Asthma. 2000 Sep;37(6):489-96. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] *The magnesium levels were similar between asthmatic and control groups in the serum blood test but the magnesium level inside of red blood cells was lower in the asthmatic group.
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Probiotics, vitamin K and calcification

Vitamin K is made with the help of probiotics and our ‘good guy’ intestinal bacteria.  Adequate vitamin K may help prevent calcification of soft tissue and potentially reduce the risk for heart disease and some types of cancer. Healthy intestinal bacteria can make vitamin K in a form that is well absorbed compared to the form found in vegetables and a few other foods.Vitamin K1 is more common in the diet in many green vegetables but it is poorly absorbed. Vitamin K2 is found in foods made with active bacterial cultures like yogurt, sauerkraut, kim chee and some cheeses.

The richest food sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. It is also found in small amounts in egg yolk, some meats, flatfish and eel. Dairy products like yogurt or cottage cheese may contain vitamin K as a side product of the active cultures. Natto, miso, tempeh, kim chee and other live cultured products may also be a source of vitamin K depending on the type of bacteria used in processing. Sauerkraut and dill pickles sold from a refrigerated case may be a source of the live ‘good guy’ bacteria. The fermented products provide some vitamin K and provide the good guy bacteria that can keep making more vitamin K while protecting against yeast and less friendly bacteria. Spoilage does occur with live products. Food safety guidelines and ‘use by dates’ should be followed. [4] [6]

Probiotic supplements are also available that are designed to provide some of the good guy bacteria in a capsule. Check the source for quality control standards and storage recommendations.

Vitamin K helps the body make the hormone, osteocalcin, which helps signal calcium to enter bone tissue [4] and is important for regulating blood sugar levels.[13] Adequate vitamin K helps the calcium stay in the bone tissue and reduces the risk of soft tissue calcification. Hardening of the breasts may not lead to heart attacks, a risk with arteriosclerosis, or the hardening of arteries from calcium/cholesterol deposits, [9, 10] but the condition isn’t likely to be comfortable either. Calcium is electrically active inside of the cell and can signal membranes to break down. Calcium deposits in soft tissue may be enclosed in fatty cholesterol deposits to help prevent the risk of inflammatory membrane break down.

Vitamin K is essential for blood to clot but it is also very important for preventing calcification of soft tissue. Calcium deposits add to hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis but abnormal calcification is also seen in some cases of breast cancer. [3] Calcification of soft tissue becomes more common in people over 50 and is frequently considered a normal part of aging. However soft tissue calcification can be a symptom of excess vitamin D intake and can be a symptom of vitamin K or magnesium deficiencies.

A study found less incidence of prostate and lung cancer in participants who reported more intake of vitamin K foods. The link with breast or colon cancer was less clear but the study was based on self reported intake of common foods and cheese was the richest food source of vitamin K reported (cheese is also a source of calcium). None of the study participants had an estimated intake of vitamin K that met the RDA. In the U.S. 120 mcg is recommended for men and 90 mcg for women. In the study 24,340 adults were followed for ten years and averaged less than 100 mcg/day. [7] A cup of carrots has about 15 mcg, a cup of kale has 1054 mcg (but the form is not well absorbed) and a cup of sauerkraut has 81 mcg. [8]

Bacteroides is a family of bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines. Some helpful bacteria are known to make vitamin K. Some of the Bacteoides family are more helpful to health than others. Having a variety of bacteria in the intestines can reduce the growth of other more deadly bacteria and helps prevent excessive yeast growth. Intestinal health is not a pleasant topic but intestinal ill health is even less pleasant.

A study about celiac disease risk tested for types of Bacteroides species in newborns. A difference in intestinal species was noted based on the genetic differences between the infants and whether they were fed with human milk or commercial infant formula. Infants without the high risk genotype and infants receiving human milk feedings had more of the healthier species of Bacteriodes. [1] This suggests that some infants and people may be more at risk than others for intestinal imbalance which can result in poor nutrient absorption and deficiencies. Probiotics from foods or supplements could be helpful as part of the daily diet.

Probiotic supplements can not supply all types of healthy bacteria in a shelf stable form. Freshly prepared fermented foods may be a better source of some types of the healthy bacteria. [12]  Kefir is a type of active culture beverage that is made from milk similar to the way that yogurt is made. Infant formula possibly could be prepared with the healthy Bacteroides species to help establish healthy digestion and vitamin K. Kefir and other active culture products spoil more rapidly so food safety risks would need to be tested with any new products. Infants typically are given supplemental vitamin K at birth because there is little found in the breast milk. The healthy bacteria that are promoted by the human milk feeding could be providing the vitamin K infants need once the good guy bacteria are established in the intestines of the infant. (unpleasant to think about but healthy for digestion and strong bones).

Digestive issues may be helped by vitamin K and probiotic foods or supplements. And having adequate vitamin K can help prevent calcification of the soft tissue and osteoporosis of the bones. While calcification itself is not proven to be a cause of cancer or heart disease, calcium deposits are found in tumors and in arteriosclerotic plaque which suggests that excess calcium is involved.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

Reference List

  1. Sanchez E., et.al., “Influence of Environmental and Genetic Factors Linked to Celiac Disease Risk on Infant Gut Colonization by Bacteroides Species” Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Aug. 2011, p. 5316–5323 pdf: [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov] *an increased prevalence of B. vulgatis was found in infants with the HLA-DQ genotype that is associated with increased risk for developing celiac disease. An increased prevalence of B. uniformis was associated with infants without the high risk genotype and with infants who received breast milk feedings.
  2. Itzhak Brook, “Bacteroides Infection,” Medscape.com: [emedicine.medscape.com]
  3. Johnson K., “Breast Calcifications.” (last reviewed Oct. 28, 2012) webmd: [women.webmd.com]
  4. Vermeer C., “Vitamin K: the effect on health beyond coagulation an overview.” Food & Nutrition Research 2012. 56: 5329 – DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v56i0.5329 pdf, full article: [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  5. Lev M., “Sphingolipid biosynthesis and vitamin K metabolism in Bacteroides melaninogenicus.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Jan;32(1):179-86. Full article [ajcn.nutrition.org/content/32/1/179.long] * This link is really about a different topic. Vitamin K may be important for assembling phospholipids that are used in membranes.
  6. King-Nosseir A., “Eating Well: Bones need more than just calcium,”  (5/16/2012) abqjournal.com: [abqjournal.com]
  7. “Higher vitamin K intake tied to lower cancer risks.” (March 31, 2010) Reuters: [reuters.com] *This discusses the results of a large study but the vitamin K intake was based on self reported food intake and cheese was the primary source they mention tracking.
  8. “Vitamin K Content of Common Foods.” University Healthcare Thrombosis Service, My Warfarin Therapy, healthcare.utah.edu [healthcare.utah.edu]
  9. “Hardening of the Arteries.” (June 3, 2012) pubMed: [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  10. Howenstine J., “Arteriosclerosis Can Be Reversed, Part 1.” (7/24/2008) [newswithviews.com]
  11. Cuomo M.I., “A World Without Cancer, The making of a new cure and the real promise of prevention.” (2012, Rodale Press, New York) [Amazon] *breast cancer tumors are described as a chalky white that stands out from the surrounding tissue. Diagnostic screening was described that differentiates between abnormal and normal calcification of the breast. ** My position is that calcification of the breast or arteries is abnormal and is related to long term nutrient deficiencies or sometimes parathyroid cancer or other unusual disease rather than being a normal part of aging.
  12. Myhill S., “Probiotics – we should all be taking these all the time and double the dose following antibiotics and gastroenteritis.”  [drmyhill.co.uk]
  13. “Osteocalcin hormone can regulate glucose levels: Research” (July 23, 2010) [news-medical.net]